Mowbray slams star-struck refs

Mowbray: Unhappy with officials

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West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has accused some referees of being "in awe" of the top clubs' big-name players.

Mowbray has hit out at some top-flight officials after seeing a red card handed to full-back Paul Robinson by Rob Styles in Tuesday's 5-0 hammering by Manchester United overturned by the Football Association on Thursday.

The Baggies chief was happy with the FA's decision to rescind the red card, but feels there is a bigger problem in the Premier League with some referees being star-struck by some top players.

"It's almost as if refs want to be friends of the stars," said Mowbray.

Paranoia

"We had Mr Styles at Chelsea. It was, 'Frank (Lampard) this and Frank that'. They know some players' names.

"I hope it doesn't come across as paranoia. I find myself sometimes feeling, when we play the likes of Peterborough (as they did in the FA Cup third round), a team lower down the pecking order currently than we are, that it's almost as if the referees try to help them along.

"Surely that should work in the same way. Surely, if we play Manchester United that would work in the same way. But I don't feel it. I feel as if they are in awe of their big stars.

"Maybe it's the fact that Manchester United are going to be in this league for the next 20 years and if they want to referee in it for the next 20, then they had better be all right with these big boys."

Wrong

Mowbray felt Styles endured a bad night at the Hawthorns, accusing the official of being too card happy.

He added: "I thought Mr Styles had a disappointing night.

"It would be interesting if we could appeal yellow cards and see how many of those we could get overturned.

"He seemed to be going round looking for someone he hadn't already booked.

"But Mr Styles will have to accept that his decision has been overturned by an independent panel and that he got it wrong."